Advertising device



Oct. 27, 1953 MCDONALD, R 2,656,630

ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed May 20, 1950 EUGENE F MCDONALD JR.

INVENTOR.

HIS ATTORNEY I Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UlTED :51

ENT OFFICE 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to novelty advertising devices.

It is known in the art that if a plurality of vanes, each having aradiant-energy absorbing face and a radiant-energy reflectin faceopposite the absorbing face, are similarly supported for rotation in ararefied atmosphere about a common axis, incidence of radiant energyupon the absorbing faces of the vanes causes the system to rotate aboutthe axis. Such devices are known in the art as radiometers and havefound application in the measurement of the intensity of the radiantenergy of rarefied gases and in other scientific measurements. However,until the present time, radiometers have been regarded as scientificinstruments or, to the layman, as a sort of curiosity, since there is noreadily apparent reason for the rotation of the vanes.

Because a radiometer has the appearance of a perpetual motion machine toone not endowed with an understanding of the manner in which itoperates, a display centering about a radiometer seldom fails to attractthe attention of large numbers of passersby. Indeed, radiometers areoften displayed as objects of curiosit in jevelers windows, for nouseful purpose other than to attract the attention of window shoppers tothe other items included in the display. Thus, some of the advertisingpotentialities of the radiometer have been recognized. However, whileradiometers have been employed in the role of an attention-getter toattract the public eye, full use has not been made of the fact that itis the radiometer to which the attention is primarily directed and notthe surrounding merchandise.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new anduseful device for display advertising purposes or the like. It is afurther object of the invention to provide a new and improvedadvertising device in which the full advertising potentialities of aradiometer are uti- Ilized.

In accordance with the invention, a novel device of the class describedcomprises a radiometer including a plurality of vanes, each having aradiant-energy reflecting surface and a radiantenerg absorbing surfaceopposite the reflecting surface. The vanes are similarly supported in ararefied atmosphere for rotation about a common axis in response toincidence of radiant energy upon the vanes. Indicia of luminescentmaterial are inscribed on the vanes to provide the effect of acontinuous image in response to rotation of the vanes about the commonaxis, the luminescent material being of substantially the same color asthe vane surfaces on which it is deposited in order not to detract fromthe efficiency of the radiometer.

. The features of -the present invention which J are believed to benovel are set forth with pa!- ticularity in the appended claims. Theinvention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood, however, by reference to the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in the severalfigures of which like reference numerals indicate like elements, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a composite view, partly schematic and partly in fragmentarycross section, of an advertising display device constructed inaccordance with the invention, and

Figure 2 is a composite detail view of a portion of the apparatus ofFigure 1.

As shown in Figure 1 a display advertising de-- vice constructed inaccordance with the present invention comprises a radiometer I 0 and asource I I of radiant energy. Radiometer I0 is of a type generallywell-known in the art and comprises a plurality of vanes l2, l3, I4 andI5 supported by means of a frame It which is pivoted by means of abearing I 7 for rotation about a common axis. The entire system issupported within a glass envelope l8 which is partially evacuated toprovide a rarefied atmosphere. Each of the vanes I2, l3, l4, and I5 isprovided with a radiantenergy absorbing surface and a radiant-energyreflecting surface opposite the absorbing surface. For example, each ofthe vanes may comprise a thin sheet of mica or the like which isblackened on one side and polished on the other. The vanes I2, 53, i land I5 are similarly supported on frame it; in other words, theblackened or radiant-energy absorbing surfaces of all vanes face in thesame direction around the common axis. Envelope I8 is not fullyevacuated but instead is evacuated to such an extent that the mean freepath of the residual gas molecules is comparable with the transversedimensions of each vane.

As is Well-known in the art, when radiant energy impinges upon theblackened or absorbing surfaces of the vanes I2, I3, I4 and I5, theabsorbing surfaces rise to a higher temperature than the reflectingsurfaces. Consequently, residual gas molecules colliding with theblackened surfaces acquire greater rebound velocities than thoseimpinging on the bright surfaces. Thus the reactionary force'produced bythe rebounding gas molecules is greater on the absorbing surface of eachvane than on the reflecting surface, and a net torque is developed whichcauses'the entire system to rotate in a direction away from theabsorbing surfaces. For instance, if the front surface of vane I2 asshown in Figure 1 is the absorbing surface, the system rotates in acounterclockwise direction as viewed from above.

The radiant energ which may be used to drive the radiometer It) mayadvantageously comprise a source of concentrated light or heat. Forexample, source H may constitute an ultravioletray lamp energized by asuitable power source here shown as a battery 20. Moreover, means suchas a variable resistor 2| may be provided for controlling the intensityof the radiant energy emitted Joyspurr'ie '1 In some I applicationslitmay be desirable to provide collimating or focussing systems for theradiant energy. Such systems are well known in the art and are hereindicated schematically as a single lens 2}.

In accordance with the present invention, the several vanes of therotating system cfthe'radiometer I are inscribed with similar indigia:13, here shown as a letter Z for purposesofillustration, preferablyrepresenting a trade=mark, trade name, or other advertising message tobe impartedtothe public. Indicia 23 m inscribed flw re pq ri .pp i n .or s l2, Hand 'fie b st-e wn i iiell rz- As ac n q enq when the .v e iqeabeu the eemm exi gluegto thein enceof radiant energy, the apnee aiwfi19 .teti'oner i a i a e ue to the persistenceof vision as the vanessucsi-rel 'qtat z hrees th l o i 9 he 91 $W l"- 71H i qeq qe l e w t nthe t r of t in.- eti .e he adiei ilhfi and ei erally similarconfiguration, are also inscribed ppvanes Q2, 3, l 4, and I5,respectively, inprogressively different positions thereon. nentlrwhenrihe syst m rotates. the a an pf ,a n1ovingimagelis achieved due tothe progressive displacementpf the successive-indicia. Eor purposes of,illustration, indicia 24, 25, 2,6, e i ;2' ;-he 9 hQW infiu blef toprovide theeifect of a moving lightning fiash,. although the movin magemay represent any si nal mutat on -{lhe;;spe e d; .of rotation. .of thevanes about: the

.cominonaxis isudependent upon the intensity of i the; incidence, ofradiant energy. ,A. convenient controhover; the speed,of rotation, andhence over the speed of the moving virtual image,=.isjxrovidedhyresiston-Z i. --l-I owever, it. is also contemplated thatthasystem may be operated with a radiant energy source of suitableconstantint esi y- Mar-seve e ins m a pl n n d. s- 9 -.-r%i aet ner sorc m be u r the radiant energyof the sunsrays being, sufncient to impartthedesired motion: to the vane system. liyly i itliermore, if the vanesshould be found to. rotate, too rapidly, envelope I 8, of radipn eter.10 may be constructed of a filter glass or may -be.coated ,witha-material having the desired radiant-energy transmission properties to,reduce the rotation speed to the desired .value.

The indicia may;,be inscribed on theseveral vanes in any .of a number ofways. For example, paintofia color contrastingwith that of. thevanesurface may.;be;used. 'Moreover, paints of different colors may beusedon the several vanes to .provide unique color effects.Alternatively, the indicia may-he inscribed on the vanes-byremoving-material therefromin accordance .with the desired design as bypunching out or thelike.

i nce the. operation of l the radiometer l .is dependent upon; thereactionary forces developed byrebqunding gasmolecules, and since the.maximumspeed whichmay .be attained is determined by. the; temperaturedifferential between the two surfaces of each.va ne, the provision ofindiciapf 7 contrasting colonor the removal of vane matei8- WY Q -J'eh tti ma may de r ir mith eefteeep eae max Speed e the sys em- Conse- Inaccordance with another feature of the iri vention, the desired efiectmay be provided without materially reducing the maximum attainable speedby inscribing the indicia with luminescent 5 material of substantiallythe same color as the surracion wl'iich it is deposited. ,For example,phosphors of the type used for"cathoderay tube luminescent screens maybe employed. When the indicia are so inscribed on the vanes, the,collirnated energy from source H may be in the forrn of'a light wave ofa wavelength suitable fo1'" activating the luminescent indicia; at thesame time the energy from source i I induces the surfaces of the vaneswhich is required to cause the vane system to rotate. Unique coloreffects ma b. p .P u iner e of di e nt glow characteristicson theseveral vanes.

Thus the present invention provides a' 'rlovel display advertisingdevice which utilizesfa radiometer to attractthe' attention ofthe'public and in (which the advertising .message is carried by theradiometer. itself where the .ob-Servers attentign is naturally focussd.

While particular: embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it 'is apparent that various changes. and modificationsmay be made, and itis therefore contemplated in the appended claims tocover all such changes and modiiications as i all within the true spiritand scope of theinvent'i'onf I claim:

-l. In, an article of the class described: aradiometer comprising .aplurality pf vanes, each 33 having a ra'cliant energy reflecting surfaceand a radiant energyr-absorbing surface opposite said reflectingsurface, similarly supported in a rare fled atmosphere for rotationabout a common aXisin responsetoincidence of radianten'ergy upo s dyanea i c o lu n c n aterial inscribed 'on said .vane s to provide the ef ecof a eon m li ima i resp se Q- tation of saidvanes about said axis, saidluminescent material being of substantially the same 9 .8 th t al .suiae .Q l h it in eposited.

2.-In.an articleof-the class described: aradiometer comprising aplurality of vanes, each having a radiant-ener y reflecting surface anda rad ntz ne s abso b n urface po e d flec nssur a similar y. suppo mear ;ied atmosphere for rotationabout a common axis in response toincidence of radiant energy upon said ,vanes;-.indicia of luminescentmaterial inscribed. onsaidvanesv to provide the eiiect of a continuousimage in response to rotation of said .vanesaboutsaid axis,saidluminescent material being of substantially the same color asthevane, surfaees onwhich itis deposited; asource .of radiant enelgy; meansfor directing radiant ene y rom s i s rceup n i vanes tocause m te equel.rot ti o ai v n s. a out said axis and; luminescence of said indicia;said radiant energy source heing readily adjustable .to vary thespeedof. said vane rotationand the intensity. of said, luminescence.

. Ft MCDONALD, -JR.

jteferences Qited in, the V file of this .patent UNITED .STA'IES PATENTSNumber Name Date l,507,l37 Juhl Sept. .2, 1924 1,945,789 Revis -Feb.6,.1934 2,391,752": l s enherg .Dec.,25,.1945

